COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

Be Still and Know that I am God

I was listening to an old song that was originally written in the 1980s this morning. If you have been a believer long enough, you may remember the Christian group called The Imperials. For those who are too young to know them, the name is not in reference to Star Wars! These musicians were sons of the King of kings!

They have a hauntingly beautiful song, "Be Still, My Soul." As I listened to it this morning, snow was coming down heavily and falling on an already-white world outside my window. As we stay indoors for safety, it almost seems like a vacation, like a second Christmas! It was a peaceful moment!

But I know that in the world around me, all is not peaceful and serene. So I looked up Psalm 46 to read the whole chapter surrounding verse ten that we all know so well: "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God.'" By the time the psalmist sings that line near the end of the chapter, he has already sung of earthquakes, stormy waters, nations in an uproar, kingdoms falling, war, and perhaps even a volcanic explosion.

But in verses seven and eight, a significant turn happens, a turn that is common in the Psalms' musical prayers! As the singers turn their eyes upward and voice their fears to God, a shift takes place in their perspective. "The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth."

"Wait," you say, "God brings desolation? I am not sure I like this." But the psalmist explains the things that God desolates and destroys. "He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire." (v. 9) God desolates wars and destroys the weapons of war!

So finally in verse ten, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God." Since it is God who works to bring an end to war, you and I are to rest quietly and know that God is sovereign over all things. He is our fortress of protection, our Prince of Peace! And while the psalmist does not mention it in Psalm 46, disease certainly answers God's sovereign rule.

So it is no wonder that throughout the centuries, Christians have always been on the frontline in moments of sickness and disease. During the outbreak of measles or smallpox from 250-270 AD in the Roman Empire, many Christians died caring for the sick and dying. A century before this, Christians had cared for the sick and dying during the Antonine Plague. How many hospitals around the world carry a name with a Christian meaning? How many hospitals bear a name with "Catholic" or "Baptist" or "Episcopal" or "Saint" in them? And how many of the "memorial" hospitals were named after Christians with a heart to care for the weak, sick, or dying?

Christian faith and certainty about our future prompt many believers to run to the help of others. Perhaps we are afraid, but we are not paralyzed with fear. While we are still, knowing that God is God, we are also active, finding ways to care for the sick and hurting and fearful. In our digital age, we can write words of encouragement and prayer. And in our extra time, BICF (Beijing International Christian Fellowship) has several projects to help provide support and help in our cities. Let us all prayerfully ask the Lord how He wants us to be a blessing in China right now.

By Chris Branstetter, Beijing